Family Constellations reveal the hidden dynamics in family systems.
They create a living model of the family that discloses the deeper forces that unknowingly influence our thoughts, behaviors and emotional experiences. Constellations can provide healing for self, family and ancestors.
Developed by Bert Hellinger, Constellations often disclose the hidden elements and dynamics behind suffering that results from tragedy, neglect, abuse, estrangement and violence. Family Constellations are used by healers, mental health providers and alternative practitioners throughout the World.
Constellations can be done in group workshops or in individual sessions. In Family Constellation theory, psychological states, feelings, and illness are often seen as disturbances in the individual's family system. During the group process volunteers are asked to "represent" individuals from a family system. Often these representative do not know beforehand who they are representing in the family, yet they manifest them often in great detail and help to reveal what is hidden.
While the individual watches the representatives move, speak and react to other representatives (with the help of the facilitator). Hidden connections, issues and confusions are revealed and explored. When representatives for the family system are finally in their correct position and excluded or unacknowledged elements are revealed and accepted, the energy of the system can begin to flow naturally.
Constellations often disclose the deeper elements and dynamics behind suffering that results from tragedy, neglect, abuse, disappointment, estrangement and violence.
Individual constellations may include the use of visualization techniques to reveal family dynamics. They may use wooden figures to represent the family. The Facilitator may also take on one or more representations for the client. During the process, hidden connections, issues and confusions are revealed and explored. Constellations are not a form of psychotherapy. They offer profound healing beyond the stories we tell ourselves.
I first had the opportunity to be involved in Family Constellation work in 2002 in San Antonio, Texas. I never experienced any form of healing more profound or intrinsic than this work. It has led to deep healing for myself, my family and ancestors. I have also received many gifts by being of service to others as a representative and facilitator.
A number of facilitators have begun to call this work "Systemic Constellations" to include work beyond the family to soul, spirit, options and formal organizations.
I offer individual sessions in LA and also phone sessions. For information go to: Healing Family Constellations.
Last Updated on November 23, 2009
Everyone Has a Right to Belong
--Bert Hellinger
Constellations can reveal hidden truths behind suffering and guilt
Once revealed deep healing is possible on the soul level.
Family Constellations may help with:
- The root of major illness
- A sense of deep sadness that is not associated with actual life events
- Difficult adoptions
- The impact of violence on the family from war, murder and abuse
- Disconnect from soul and spirit
- Missing sense of connection and purpose
- Entanglements with someone else's business
- Resistance to a difficult fate
What Happens in a Family Constellation Workshop?
From Wikipedia: "Family Constellations"
A group (typically strangers) is led by a facilitator. In turn, members of the group can explore an urgent personal issue. Generally, several members will be given an opportunity to set up a Constellation in each session.After a brief interview, the facilitator suggests who will be represented in the Constellation. These are usually a representative for the seeker, one or more family members, and sometimes abstract concepts such as "depression" or a country.
The person presenting the issue (seeker or client) asks people from the group to be representatives. He or she arranges the representatives according to what feels right in the moment. The seeker then sits down and observes.
A number of facilitators have the representatives leave the room so they know nothing when placed in the circle. I think this is a good way myself and plan on using it. --BK
Several minutes elapse with the representatives standing still and silent in their places. Unlike psychodrama the representatives do not act, pose or role play.
Emphasis is placed on intuition in placing the representatives and in subsequent steps of the procedure. The aim is to tap into what the psychiatrist Albrecht Mahr describes as the Knowing Field (Mahr 1999). The Knowing Field is claimed to guide participants to sense and articulate the feelings of the real family members they represent. This is inexplicable because the representatives have never met these people, have been told little or nothing about them and those family members may no longer be living. Nevertheless, the representatives usually will experience feelings or physical sensations which inform the process.
The facilitator may ask each representative to describe how it feels to be placed in relation to the others. At this point, the facilitator, seeker, and group members may perceive something in the spacial relationships and feelings held by the representatives that is informative regarding an underlying dynamic that relates to the presenting personal issue.
A healing resolution for the issue generally involves the repositioning the representatives and for the facilitator to suggest one or two sentences to be spoken aloud. If the representatives do not feel better in their new position or sentence, they can move again or try a different sentence. Sometimes the process ends before a full resolution is achieved.
A healing resolution is achieved when every representative feels right in his or her place and the other representatives agree. This is claimed to represent, in an abstract way, a possible resolution of the issues faced by the subject of the session.
Living Family Trees
"Family constellations could be described as living family trees. These constellations reveal inner images and behaviors that exist below our consciousness, and whose hidden dynamics motivate us throughout our lives. Success or failure in our relationships and work, the advent of illness or depression, and even our sense of belonging in the world, often depends upon these hidden forces."
--Scott Bader, DC
Books by Bert Hellinger
Love's Hidden Symmetry: What Makes Love Work in Relationships
Amazon Price: $26.37 (as of 12/11/2009) 
Acknowledging What Is: Conversations With Bert Hellinger
Amazon Price: $14.96 (as of 12/11/2009)
No Waves without the Ocean: Experiences and Thoughts
Amazon Price: $42.00 (as of 12/11/2009)
On Life & Other Paradoxes: Aphorisms and Little Stories from Bert Hellinger
Amazon Price: (as of 12/11/2009)
Supporting Love : How Love Works in Couple Relationships
Amazon Price: $23.07 (as of 12/11/2009)
Taking Our Parents
--Bert Hellinger
Family Constellation Vids
"Changing the world one Constellation at a time" featuring Catherine VanWetter
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344 views
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Part 2- "Changing the world one Constellation at a time" featuring Catherine VanWetter
Runtime: 425
251 views
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Family Constellations: Lisa Iversen, MSW, LCSW interviewed by Angela Harrington Rice (Part 1)
Runtime: 254
191 views
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Family Constellations: Lisa Iversen, MSW, LCSW interviewed by Angela Harrington Rice (Part 2)
Runtime: 545
139 views
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Family Constellation Information
- Systemic Family Constellations
- "This powerful, innovative process can be used to untangle the many levels of subtle, hidden webs that operate within systems (individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.) Constellation work is especially useful in helping to resolve difficult and intractable problems not accessible by other means.
- Family Constellations Explained
- John Payne
"Firstly, it is important to say that Family Constellation 'theory' is based on observation... Many of the observations may seem foreign to the first time witness to such family dynamics but as observations they become undeniable as you experience truth, loyalty and love unfold before you. " - Order in love
- By Bertold Ulsamer
"... something completely new is being offered here: the method of "posting", where representatives state their feelings."
Unconscious Love and Solidarity
"We have observed that a part of our pain, anxiety, and unhappiness regarding relationships, work and money, even illness, comes from issues which have their source in entanglements that have evolved in our own family over many generations. Mysteriously, our soul has the capacity to record tragic and unusual events that have burdened our ancestors throughout recent time, often without our conscious knowledge of them. So that during our own life, something remarkable happens: out of deep unconscious love and solidarity with another relative, we begin to bear their burden, which was never ours in the first place."
--Peter deVries and Cara deVries M.A.
Family Constellations on Amazon
The Healing of Individuals, Families & Nations: Transgenerational Healing & Family Constellations Book 1 (Trans-Generational Healing & Family Constellations series)
This book's perspective on healing will expand the reader's vision, beyond the scope of healing as a purely individual and personal matter, to one that spans generations in its scope, crosses racial and cultural barriers and sheds new light on the relationships between victims and perpetrators, be they from governments and regimes, wars, sexual abuse or crime.
Payne's "Orders of Love" describe a natural pattern that has been observed in the practice of Family Constellations--namely, that there is a distinct order stating who belongs and who does not belong, not only in a family system, but also in larger groups such as nations.
Amazon Price: $13.22 (as of 12/11/2009)
Many Hearts, ONE SOUL: An American Perspective on the Work of Bert Hellinger
Many Hearts, One Soul:An American Perspective on the Work of Bert Hellinger is a profound and poignant exploration of German psychotherapist Bert Hellinger's "systemic constellation" process. Author Gary Stuart is generous in his examples of how certain dynamics within our family systems can adversely influence our lives. He discusses "generational family order" and the importance of assuring that all family members feel included. Questions of trans-generational entanglements and the inheriting of guilt are also addressed, as well as the ways in which we can release ourselves from our negative family patterns.But Many Hearts, One Soul goes far beyond merely explaining the process itself. Stuart infuses the work with inspirational poetry, personal commentary and a heartfelt desire to share what he has discovered from his years of experience. In doing so, he conveys a message of hope and commonality -- that we each belong, even if we feel that we do not..
Amazon Price: $12.95 (as of 12/11/2009)
The Art and Practice of Family Constellations. Leading Family Constellations as Developed by Bert Hellinger
... Bertold Ulsamer explains the basis of family constellations, considers the task and the role of the therapist in the field of subjective experience and objective knowledge. He addresses the use of language and the issue of dealing with emotions. His book is aimed at therapists and others who are interested in the practical applications of the Hellinger therapy.
Amazon Price: $26.95 (as of 12/11/2009)
Family Constellation: Its Effects on Personality and Social Behavior, 4th Edition
The Newest edition of this classic work is presented in an updated format. Dr. Toman's revisions to the text include new interpretations of statistical data, a questionnaire for reader use, and a fully updated bibliography.
Amazon Price: $51.51 (as of 12/11/2009)
Family Constellations. Basic Principles and Procedures
What helps love to flow freely? What keeps us entangled in the lives and fates of others? What can free us from entanglements? Family constellations can help us to look at these issues and take steps towards a happier and more fulfilled life. Family members often become entangled in the lives and fates of others in the family system. This book describes this process, how this appears in family constellations, and how it can be resolved.
Amazon Price: $29.95 (as of 12/11/2009)
Family Bonds Through Generations
--Bertold Ulsamer
Family / Systemic Constellation Facilitators / USA
- Healing Through Family Constellations - Barry Krost
- Individual and group sessions with Barry Krost, MA, NCTMB. Family Constellations "create a living model of the family that begins an exploration of the deeper reasons for emotional distress, trauma, illnesses and spiritual confusion."
- Living Body and Soul - Scott Bader, DC
- "In communion with the world as it is." Systemic Constellations provide access to the living, moving web of life and the embodiment of our deeper selves.
- Constellation Works - Peter deVries and Cara deVries M.A.
- "Systemic Constellation work is both a psychological and a spiritual process, a powerful tool which initiates healing at a soul level and allows us to experience the fullness of our human potential."
- Volker Frank Consulting - Volker Frank
- "Discover new ways of aligning yourself and your team to effectively interact with the collective dynamic generated by the organization and overcome internal dysfunctions. Organizational constellations reveal the social dynamics that affect organizational behavior regardless of the individuals involved."
- Constellation Healing Institute -- Gary Stuart
- In a Trans-Generational Family Constellation Group, you witness how the truth of the inner soul desires to be rediscovered. In the aftermath of this work, you may even witness the Family Constellation's "holographic" effect on siblings and relatives who are not present during the work but represented by other participants.
- Hellinger Approach - Suzi Tucker
- The Family Constellation perspective offers new ways to understand ourselves and others. This dimensional approach provides unique access to the often-hidden family dynamics that influence how we feel, how we act, and how we live.
- The Hellinger Institute of DC - Susan Ulfelder, ND, LMT, RPP, RDH and John Ulfelder
- "The Hellinger Institute of DC is an educational institute founded to teach and promote the Family Constellations approach to individual and family issues developed by Bert Hellinger."
- Awakening Family Constellations - Rita Martino, M.S. MFT
- "Improves relationships / Creating openings for growth / Energy in motion Emotions / Allows life-changing insights in orders of magnitude by factors of Love/"
- The Constellations Group - Carol Heil, Diane Hetherington, Betsy Hostetler and Mary Rentschler
- The four founding partners of The Systemic Constellations Group, LLC, came together in early 2005 to promote and facilitate systemic constellations for the understanding, healing and evolution of communities, families, and organizations.
Family Constellations DVD
Family Constellations Group and Individual - Familienstellen Gruppe und Einzel (2 DVDs)
Jakob Robert Schneider studied philosophy, physical education and pedagogy. He has a private practice for counselling and group therapy, and gives family constellation seminars in Germany and abroad. Sieglinde Schneider, teacher of German and Religion, School Counselor, Systemic Family Counselor, is working internationally as trainer for constellation work in individual and couple therapy.
Amazon Price: $64.00 (as of 12/11/2009)
My Blog Series on Family Constellations
- Family Constellations: A Brief Overview (1 of 3)
- One of the most powerful and amazing forms of therapy I have seen in 25 years of practice is Family Constellations.
- Family Constellations: The Orders of Love Between Parents, Children and Excluded Members (2 of 3)
- Bert Hellinger saw consistent patterns that led to specific disturbances. He eventually called one set of patterns "the Orders of Love." He believes that love requires particular kinds of arrangements and movements to be completely given and received "for a healthy and satisfying life.
- Family Constellations: Individual Sessions (3 of 3)
- Individual sessions are also an effective Family Constellation process.
May you awaken to the mystery of being here...
May you have joy and peace in the temple of your senses.
May you receive great encouragement when new frontiers beckon.
May you respond to the call of your gift and find the courage to follow its path.
May the flame of anger free you from falsity.
May warmth of heart keep your presence aflame and may anxiety never linger about you.
May your outer dignity mirror an inner dignity of soul.
May you take time to celebrate the quiet miracles that seek no attention.
May you be consoled in the secret symmetry of your soul.
May you experience each day as a sacred gift woven around the heart of wonder.
~ John O'Donohue ~
(Anam Cara)
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The information provided on this web site is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between a patient/site visitor and his/her physician, psychiatrist, psychotherapist, or any medications such licensed individuals have prescribed to you.
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Any comment about this lens on Family Constellations?
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Reply
- spirituality spirituality Nov 22, 2009 @ 2:25 am
- Great lens, but you knew that :) Just wanted to remind you that this is featured on the Spiritual Growth and Development Group: http://www.squidoo.com/groups/spiritual-growth
It's now transformed into a lensography and I would love it if you could feature it here, or lensroll it or something.
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- Cath Cath Aug 12, 2009 @ 6:56 pm
- Gosh - this is even better than it was before when it was just amazing. You've put together so much here - thank you!!
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- Eridawni Eridawni May 27, 2009 @ 12:17 am
- Thank you for this special lens on such an important work. I learned a great deal from this sight and found such a wonderful connection and respect for Bert Hellinger for is work and integrity.
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Reply
- spirituality spirituality Apr 28, 2009 @ 1:45 pm
- Please submit this to my http://www.squidoo.com/groups/spiritual-growth spiritual growth group - and blessed by a squidangel btw.
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- shevans shevans Apr 17, 2009 @ 7:27 pm
- Very interesting. That's what I love about Squidoo, learning, learning, learning. Thank you sharing.
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- Gary Stuart Gary Stuart Apr 7, 2009 @ 7:44 pm
- Beautiful and informative website.....Thanks for all the hard work and LOGO's I wish I had thought of...just Great...Seasoned & certified Hellinger constellation/Spirit Mind facilitator and Author of Many Hearts, ONE SOUL www.Chifield.com Gary@Chifield.com NAMASTE GARY
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- DrPete DrPete Feb 15, 2009 @ 2:36 pm
- Hi Barry, great job on this lens. I am very familiar with family constellations as my sister is a trained facilitator and I have attended workshops with Jane Peterson in Portland, Oregon with the Human Systems Institute. I just started my first lens and I'm still learning how to do this thing called squidoo. I will use your lenses as good examples to follow!
Thanks, Peter
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- Guillaume Guillaume Feb 9, 2009 @ 2:33 pm
- What an inclusive website. I am amazed!! Congratulations and see you soon. I will definitively refer people to it.
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- Heather426 Heather426 Jan 31, 2009 @ 1:23 pm
- Fascinating! 5*
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- monarch13 monarch13 Jan 30, 2009 @ 11:41 am
- Congratulations, you were nominated for The Healthy, Wealthy and Wise Group Excellence Award!
Good Luck and Good Health!
Monarch 13 (Michelle)
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